Welcoming 2016 =)

Yes, I know I'm three days late, but Happy New Year to all my readers! I should really be doing some lesson planning in preparation for work tomorrow, but thought a quick blog post shouldn't hurt =)

I don't really have any new year's resolutions for this year, apart from passing my NQT year. Other than that, I'm just looking forward to seeing how the year progresses (and also attending a few friend's weddings which are also coming up in the year!). This year will definitely be more career focused as I am responsible for my own class. Even though I don't spend all my time at school, I do spend a lot of time thinking about (and preparing for) work. I'm also trying to find a work-life balance (which sounds impossible) and will be getting back to swimming on a regular basis as well as other things.

In other non-work related news, I also changed the colour of my dip dye today. Previously, it has been pink and then blue, but I thought I would start the new year with the end of my hair dyed purple. The bottom of my hair has been bleached until almost white and then I applied the colour over the top. For anyone who wants to know, I use the Colour Freedom dyes, as they are semi-permanent so I can either top-up the colour, or change it (depending on my mood) as it starts to fade.

Hopefully, I'll be blogging a bit more than last year as I don't have any more assignments (student life has finally come to an end!), but I'm also hoping to be scrapbooking and crafting a lot more this year too.

What are your plans/goals for this year?



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Scrapbooking:Project Life 2016

Happy holidays everyone! Today's post is a little (or not so little) scrapbooking update. I can't believe that I've managed to keep up scrapbooking with Project Life for a whole year! From choosing which pictures to print, to selecting different pocket cards and adding a little bit of journaling, I definitely enjoy this method of scrapbooking. I also love adding embellishments (stickers and glitter, need I say more?) but Project Life doesn't require a lot of those so it's a lot less time consuming, which is perfect as I can fit it in when I have free time.

 

I suppose it should come as no surprise then, that I ordered a new Project Life album for 2016. I didn't order any more pocket cards as I already have a pretty large collection which I will be using up. I'm also starting a mini scrapbook project for a friend that will form part of a gift next year (unfortunately I can't give away anymore information on that just yet).

Here's a look at some snaps of my 2015 album =)

 

Would I recommend Project Life as a way to scrapbook? Yes!
The initial costs for the album, page protectors and cards work out a little pricey but after that, the only thing I pay for are the photos that I print. Have a read of my first Project Life blog post here for more information on where I purchase different products.

Anyone else going to be scrapbooking in 2016?



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Scrapbooking:Project Life 2015

I've always been a crafter and have scrapbooked in some form or another since I was at secondary school. At the end of last year, I promised myself that I would try out Project Life as a way to record my photos and memories. I knew that scrapbooking a double page for every month would be realistic for me and something that I could easily do in my free time (whenever I'm not planning lessons or writing up assignments). So far, I've nearly finished a double page layout for March, with a separate double page layout for my residential trip to Wales, and I'm collecting photos for the April pages.

March - Wales trip still needs journaling =)

Double page for January (seemed to have cut off the left edge)

Project Life really is scrapbooking simplified. All I do it add the photos that I want printed to an album on Snapfish, and at the end of the month I'm ready to order the prints that I want to include. I use Snapfish to print my photo's as I can easily upload the pictures from my phone to the album using the app, create individual albums for each month, take advantage of the free prints they offer every month (so I only end up paying P&P) and just wait until they arrive through the post. I find that this helps a lot as I don't need to faff around with the printer at home or try different websites.

Haul of scrapbooking goodies!

I also don't use a whole Project Life Core Card kit. This is simply because there are too many pretty designs all in different kits, and I can't really afford £20-£30 on one kit (especially on a student budget), so I buy the Core Kit Samplers from the Hey Little Magpie online store. It means that I can pick and choose different 'mini' sets to use in my layouts, which is great because I love mixing and matching the different designs. I know it doesn't seem very cost effective, but I would never be able to use all 600+ cards from one of the core collection kit in my scrapbook. I also mix and match my cards with other brands, and use these calendar cards as a way to highlight the month that's being scrapbooked over the pages. Just cut up the individual months and pop them in one of the pockets. I know some Scrapbookers like to have a theme throughout their album, but I'm definitely not one of them =)

The opening page of my scrapbook features these two cards.

Over the past few years, I've collected a bit too many scrapbooking supplies, but with Project Life they really aren't needed as the design and layout is so simple and easy to do (although I do like to get creative by adding some sparkle and embellishments).


How do you record your photos and memories? Ever tried scrapbooking?



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Jewellery Making - Rainbow Loom Bracelets

Hello readers! Hopefully you haven't deserted me after two whole weeks of no blogging! I took an impromptu break as I wanted to step away from my computer and phone for a little while. You may have also noticed that I haven't been tweeting or posting on Instagram as much as well. Having a little break from being online has given me the chance to pick up on a few of my hobbies and find a new one too! The most recent craze is Rainbow Loom, which basically is looping min elastic bands around each other in different ways to create patterns. I've (finally) mastered how to create the fishtail design without using an actual loom!. Here's a picture of the ones that I've made for myself (the rest have been given away to my students and friends) =D

Rainbow Loom tutorials are all over Youtube. They seem to be extremely popular in the US, and are slowly making their way to the UK. Definitely have a go at making some if you a little free time. I can now make a bracelet in under 10 minutes =)

What do you think of these bracelets?



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Mid Ramadhan Update

The 15th fast has come and gone, and we are now half way through the blessed month of Ramadhan. Luckily for me, this also coincided with the last day of term and the beginning of the Summer holidays (perks of working in a school - but seriously the holiday is much needed). Yesterday was the first day that I didn't have to wake up at half 6 and get ready for work. Instead, I spent the day taking it easy and did a little crafting by finishing off a cute cross-stitch. Today will hopefully be more productive, both spiritually (making more time and effort for prayer) and for my little business (quite a few canvas orders to complete before Eid).

I hope Ramadhan is going well for everyone! Let me know how it's going and also, if you have any tips on how to stay productive, please post them in the comments below! =)



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Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show [haul]

Thanks to the lovely MangoWhirl for telling me about the Groupon half price offer on tickets for the Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show, which gave me the chance to snap up two tickets for the price of one and go to the show with my mum. The show was at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London (luckily not too far from me). We went on the last day of the show (Saturday 6th) and spent a good 3-4 hours browsing the different stalls, watching the creative fashion show, taking a look at the demonstrations and workshops and finally having a little bite to eat just as the show was ending. There were many different crafts exhibited at the show, including card making, scrapbooking, needlework, cross stitching, knitting and jewellery making.

One of the (many) stalls! This one selling beads and jewellery making components.

Decopatch Cat

There was an exhibition of patchwork quilts completed by artists as well a few other displays. I didn't manage to get great pictures, so I won't be sharing them on here. =(

I did pick up a few bits for my jewellery making box, as well as two mini cross stitch kits and a paper pad which I'll be using for scrapbooking. I also took advantage of the Decopatch offer which included the decopatch glue, brush, 2 papers and an item (value of £3) for £10. I'll be trying out decopatch for the first time and hopefully I'll end up with lots of decorated items to place around the house. The papers were just too pretty for me to pick out two, so I ended up buying 8 (2 with the original offer, and 6 that were on offer as well). My favourite paper has to be the black with the white lace design (which is why I picked up two of them!) =)

 

Are you into crafts? What sort of crafts do you enjoy?



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